Sharing cycle settings between connected appliances

ABSTRACT

A laundry treatment appliance includes a tub provided in a cabinet; a user interface provided on the cabinet; a remote communication module provided within the cabinet; and a controller provided within the cabinet and operably coupled to the user interface and the remote communication module, the controller being configured to direct a laundry operation. The laundry operation includes establishing a remote connection between the laundry treatment appliance and a remote terminal; transmitting a laundry cycle request to the remote terminal; importing one or more predetermined cycle settings from the remote terminal in response to transmitting the laundry cycle request; and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding to the laundry cycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, the laundry cycle comprising the one or more predetermined cycle settings.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to laundry treatmentappliances, and more particularly to sharing cycle settings betweenremotely connected laundry treatment appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Laundry treatment appliances typically include washing machines, dryers,and combination washing machine/dryers. The laundry treatment appliancesare configured to perform one or more laundry operations, such aswashing, rinsing, soaking, or drying. For instance, within a washingoperation, a plurality of phases may be incorporated, such as a watersupply phase, an agitation phase, a drain phase, and a spin phase.Depending on the washing load supplied to the laundry treatmentappliance, the phases may be adjusted accordingly to effectively performthe washing operation or laundry cycle. Recently, laundry treatmentappliances are capable of extensively fine-tuned adjustments to performspecific and particular operations.

Certain users of laundry treatment appliances become accustomed tospecific laundry cycles incorporating finely tuned phase adjustments.Moreover, users may move from one location to another location having aseparate laundry treatment appliance. According to some instances, theseusers may be unfamiliar with the specific laundry cycles performedpreviously. For example, performing a washing operation on a particularwashing load (such as a delicate load) can require specific attributesand phases so as not to damage the washing articles therein.

Accordingly, a laundry treatment appliance that obviates one or more ofthe above-mentioned drawbacks would be beneficial. In particular, alaundry treatment appliance or method of operating a laundry treatmentappliance that easily transfers finely tuned laundry operations betweenseparate appliances would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a laundry treatmentappliance is provided. The laundry treatment appliance may include a tubprovided in a cabinet, a user interface provided on the cabinet, aremote communication module provided within the cabinet, and acontroller provided within the cabinet and operably coupled to the userinterface and the remote communication module, the controller beingconfigured to direct a laundry operation. The laundry operation mayinclude establishing a remote connection between the laundry treatmentappliance and a remote terminal, transmitting a laundry cycle request tothe remote terminal, importing one or more predetermined cycle settingsfrom the remote terminal in response to transmitting the laundry cyclerequest, and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding to the laundrycycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, the laundry cycleincluding the one or more predetermined cycle settings.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofoperating a laundry treatment appliance is provided. The laundrytreatment appliance may include a tub, a user interface, and a remotecommunication module. The method may include establishing a remoteconnection between the laundry treatment appliance and a remoteterminal, transmitting a laundry cycle request to the remote terminal,importing one or more predetermined cycle settings from the remoteterminal in response to transmitting the laundry cycle request, andinitiating a laundry cycle corresponding to the laundry cycle requestwithin the laundry treatment appliance, the laundry cycle comprising theone or more predetermined cycle settings.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic representation of a laundry appliance systemthat includes a first laundry treatment appliance, a second laundrytreatment appliance, and an external communication system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary laundry treatmentappliance of FIG. 1 with the door of the exemplary laundry treatmentappliance shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary laundrytreatment appliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 provides a method of operating a laundry treatment according toan exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope of theinvention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be usedinterchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are notintended to signify location or importance of the individual components.The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” isgenerally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean“A or B or both”). In addition, here and throughout the specificationand claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Suchranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained thereinunless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all rangesdisclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints areindependently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and“substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified.In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond tothe precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precisionof the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing thecomponents and/or systems. For example, the approximating language mayrefer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values withinten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, forexample, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such termsinclude within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle ordirection, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up toten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, withthe vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment”or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment,although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example isprovided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of theinvention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and variations can be made in the presentinvention without departing from the scope of the invention. Forinstance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodimentcan be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers suchmodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a laundry appliance system 50 according to exemplaryembodiments of the present subject matter. As shown, laundry appliancesystem 50 generally includes a first laundry treatment appliance 52 anda second laundry treatment appliance 54. According to some embodiments,each of appliance 52 and appliance 54 is a washing machine appliance.Laundry treatment appliance 52 will be described below according toexemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. Specifically, thesefigures illustrate various views of laundry treatment appliance 52 inorder to facilitate discussion regarding the use and operation oflaundry system 50. However, it should be appreciated that the specificappliance configurations illustrated and described are only exemplary,and the scope of the present subject matter is not limited to theconfigurations set forth herein. Furthermore, it should be appreciatedthat like reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similarfeatures between each of the laundry treatment appliances 52 and 54.

Referring still to FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of an externalcommunication system 60 will be described according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter. In general, externalcommunication system 60 is configured for permitting interaction, datatransfer, and other communications between and among first laundrytreatment appliance 52, second laundry treatment appliance 54, and/or auser of such appliances. For example, this communication may be used toprovide and receive operating parameters, cycle settings, performancecharacteristics, user preferences, or any other suitable information fordirecting performance of laundry system 50.

As illustrated, each of first laundry treatment appliance 52 and secondlaundry treatment appliance 54 may include a controller 62 (described inmore detail below). External communication system 60 permits controllers62 of first laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatmentappliance 54 to communicate with external devices either directly orthrough a network 64. For example, a consumer may use a consumer device66 to communicate directly with first laundry treatment appliance 52and/or second laundry treatment appliance 54. Alternatively, theseappliances may include user interfaces for receiving such input(described below). For example, consumer devices 66 may be in direct orindirect communication with first laundry treatment appliance 52 andsecond laundry treatment appliance 54, e.g., directly through a localarea network (LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. or indirectly throughnetwork 64. In general, consumer device 66 may be any suitable devicefor providing and/or receiving communications or commands from a user.In this regard, consumer device 66 may include, for example, a personalphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or another mobile device.

In addition, a remote server 68 may be in communication with firstlaundry treatment appliance 52, second laundry treatment appliance 54,and/or consumer device 66 through network 64. In this regard, forexample, remote server 68 may be a cloud-based server 68, and is thuslocated at a distant location, such as in a separate state, country,etc. In general, communication between the remote server 68 and theclient devices may be carried via a network interface using any type ofwireless connection, using a variety of communication protocols (e.g.TCP/IP, HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/orprotection schemes (e.g. VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

In general, network 64 can be any type of communication network. Forexample, network 64 can include one or more of a wireless network, awired network, a personal area network, a local area network, a widearea network, the internet, a cellular network, etc. According to anexemplary embodiment, consumer device 66 may communicate with a remoteserver 68 over network 64, such as the internet, to provide user inputs,transfer operating parameters or performance characteristics, etc. Inaddition, consumer device 66 and remote server 68 may communicate withfirst laundry treatment appliance 52 and second laundry treatmentappliance 54 to communicate similar information.

External communication system 60 is described herein according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. However, it shouldbe appreciated that the exemplary functions and configurations ofexternal communication system 60 provided herein are used only asexamples to facilitate description of aspects of the present subjectmatter. System configurations may vary, other communication devices maybe used to communicate directly or indirectly with one or more laundryappliances, other communication protocols and steps may be implemented,etc. These variations and modifications are contemplated as within thescope of the present subject matter.

Optionally, consumer device 66 may include or be able to access asoftware application for interacting with laundromat appliances (e.g.,commercial, public use laundry appliances). For instance, consumerdevice 66 may be provided or associated with a particular user profile(e.g., an owner account) to interact with and operate each of thelaundromat appliances. Thus, the user or operator of consumer device 66may optionally upload or otherwise import one or more options to anelected laundromat appliance to perform stored or saved laundry cycles.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3 , laundry treatment appliance 52will be described according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentsubject matter. Specifically, these figures illustrate an exemplaryembodiment of a vertical axis washing machine appliance. Specifically,FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective views of laundry treatmentappliance 52 in a closed and an open position, respectively. FIG. 3provides a side cross-sectional view of laundry treatment appliance 52.Laundry treatment appliance 52 generally defines a vertical direction V,a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which ismutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system isgenerally defined.

While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axislaundry treatment appliance 52, it should be appreciated that thevertical axis washing machine appliance is provided by way of exampleonly. It will be understood that aspects of the present subject mattermay be used in any other suitable washing machine appliance, such as ahorizontal axis washing machine appliance. Indeed, modifications andvariations may be made to laundry treatment appliance 52, includingdifferent configurations, different appearances, and/or differentfeatures while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.For another example, each of first laundry treatment appliance 52 andsecond laundry treatment appliance 54 may be dryer appliances.

Laundry treatment appliance 52 has a cabinet 102 that extends between atop portion 104 and a bottom portion 106 along the vertical direction V,between a first side (left) and a second side (right) along the lateraldirection L, and between a front and a rear along the transversedirection T. As best shown in FIG. 3 , a wash tub 108 is positionedwithin cabinet 102, defines a wash chamber 110, and is generallyconfigured for retaining wash fluids during an operating cycle. Laundrytreatment appliance 52 further includes a primary dispenser 112 (FIG. 2) for dispensing wash fluid into wash tub 108. The term “wash fluid”refers to a liquid used for washing and/or rinsing articles during anoperating cycle and may include any combination of water, detergent,fabric softener, bleach, and other wash additives or treatments.

In addition, laundry treatment appliance 52 includes a wash basket 114that is positioned within wash tub 108 and generally defines an opening116 for receipt of articles for washing. More specifically, wash basket114 is rotatably mounted within wash tub 108 such that it is rotatableabout an axis of rotation A. According to the illustrated embodiment,the axis of rotation A is substantially parallel to the verticaldirection V. In this regard, laundry treatment appliance 52 is generallyreferred to as a “vertical axis” or “top load” washing machineappliance. However, it should be appreciated that aspects of the presentsubject matter may be used within the context of a horizontal axis orfront load washing machine appliance as well.

As illustrated, cabinet 102 of laundry treatment appliance 52 has a toppanel 118. Top panel 118 defines an opening (FIG. 2 ) that coincideswith opening 116 of wash basket 114 to permit a user access to washbasket 114. Laundry treatment appliance 52 further includes a door 120which is rotatably mounted to top panel 118 to permit selective accessto opening 116. In particular, door 120 selectively rotates between theclosed position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 ) and the open position (asshown in FIG. 2 ). In the closed position, door 120 inhibits access towash basket 114. Conversely, in the open position, a user can accesswash basket 114. A window 122 in door 120 permits viewing of wash basket114 when door 120 is in the closed position, e.g., during operation ofwashing machine appliance 52. Door 120 also includes a handle 124 that,e.g., a user may pull and/or lift when opening and closing door 120.Further, although door 120 is illustrated as mounted to top panel 118,door 120 may alternatively be mounted to cabinet 102 or any othersuitable support.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , wash basket 114 further defines aplurality of perforations 126 to facilitate fluid communication betweenan interior of wash basket 114 and wash tub 108. In this regard, washbasket 114 is spaced apart from wash tub 108 to define a space for washfluid to escape wash chamber 110. During a spin cycle, wash fluid withinarticles of clothing and within wash chamber 110 is urged throughperforations 126 wherein it may collect in a sump 128 defined by washtub 108. Laundry treatment appliance 52 further includes a pump assembly130 (FIG. 3 ) that is located beneath wash tub 108 and wash basket 114for gravity assisted flow when draining wash tub 108.

An impeller or agitation element 132 (FIG. 3 ), such as a vane agitator,impeller, auger, oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combinationthereof is disposed in wash basket 114 to impart an oscillatory motionto articles and liquid in wash basket 114. More specifically, agitationelement 132 extends into wash basket 114 and assists agitation ofarticles disposed within wash basket 114 during operation of laundrytreatment appliance 52, e.g., to facilitate improved cleaning. Indifferent embodiments, agitation element 132 includes a single actionelement (i.e., oscillatory only), a double action element (oscillatorymovement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or atriple action element (oscillatory movement plus single directionrotation at one end, single direction rotation at the other end). Asillustrated in FIG. 3 , agitation element 132 and wash basket 114 areoriented to rotate about axis of rotation A (which is substantiallyparallel to vertical direction V).

As best illustrated in FIG. 3 , laundry treatment appliance 52 includesa drive assembly 138 in mechanical communication with wash basket 114 toselectively rotate wash basket 114 (e.g., during an agitation or a rinsecycle of laundry treatment appliance 52). In addition, drive assembly138 may also be in mechanical communication with agitation element 132.In this manner, drive assembly 138 may be configured for selectivelyrotating or oscillating wash basket 114 and/or agitation element 132during various operating cycles of laundry treatment appliance 52.

More specifically, drive assembly 138 may generally include one or moreof a drive motor 140 and a transmission assembly 142, e.g., such as aclutch assembly, for engaging and disengaging wash basket 114 and/oragitation element 132. According to the illustrated embodiment, drivemotor 140 is a brushless DC electric motor, e.g., a pancake motor.However, according to alternative embodiments, drive motor 140 may beany other suitable type or configuration of motor. For example, drivemotor 140 may be an AC motor, an induction motor, a permanent magnetsynchronous motor, or any other suitable type of motor. In addition,drive assembly 138 may include any other suitable number, types, andconfigurations of support bearings or drive mechanisms.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 3 , a control panel 150 with at leastone input selector 152 (FIG. 1 ) extends from top panel 118. Controlpanel 150 and input selector 152 collectively form a user interfaceinput for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display154 of control panel 150 indicates selected features, operation mode, acountdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance usersregarding operation.

Operation of laundry treatment appliance 52 is controlled by acontroller or processing device 62 that is operatively coupled tocontrol panel 150 for user manipulation to select washing machine cyclesand features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 150,controller 62 operates the various components of laundry treatmentappliance 52 to execute selected machine cycles and features. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, controller 62 may include a memory andmicroprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessoroperable to execute programming instructions or micro-control codeassociated with methods described herein. Alternatively, controller 62may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using acombination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such asswitches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates,and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying uponsoftware. Control panel 150 and other components of laundry treatmentappliance 52 may be in communication with controller 62 via one or moresignal lines or shared communication busses.

During operation of laundry treatment appliance 52, laundry items areloaded into wash basket 114 through opening 116, and washing operationis initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 152. Washbasket 114 is filled with water and detergent and/or other fluidadditives via primary dispenser 112. One or more valves can becontrolled by laundry treatment appliance 52 to provide for filling washtub 108 and wash basket 114 to the appropriate level for the number ofarticles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode,once wash basket 114 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of washbasket 114 can be agitated (e.g., with agitation element 132 asdiscussed previously) for, e.g., washing of laundry items in wash basket114.

More specifically, referring again to FIG. 3 , a water fill process willbe described according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated,laundry treatment appliance 52 includes a water supply conduit 160 thatprovides fluid communication between a water supply source 162 (such asa municipal water supply) and a discharge nozzle 164 for directing aflow of water into wash chamber 110. In addition, laundry treatmentappliance 52 includes a water fill valve or water control valve 166which is operably coupled to water supply conduit 160 andcommunicatively coupled to controller 62. In this manner, controller 62may regulate the operation of water control valve 166 to regulate theamount of water within wash tub 108. In addition, laundry treatmentappliance 52 may include one or more pressure sensors 170 for detectingthe amount of water and or clothes within wash tub 108. For example,pressure sensor 170 may be operably coupled to a side of tub 108 fordetecting the weight of wash tub 108, which controller 62 may use todetermine a volume of water in wash chamber 110 and a subwasher loadweight.

After wash tub 108 is filled and the agitation phase of the wash cycleis completed, wash basket 114 can be drained, e.g., by drain pumpassembly 130. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluidto wash basket 114 depending on the specifics of the cleaning cycleselected by a user. The impeller or agitation element 132 may againprovide agitation within wash basket 114. One or more spin cycles mayalso be used as part of the cleaning process. In particular, a spincycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cyclein order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During aspin cycle, wash basket 114 is rotated at relatively high speeds to helpwring fluid from the laundry articles through perforations 126. Afterarticles disposed in wash basket 114 are cleaned and/or washed, the usercan remove the articles from wash basket 114, e.g., by reaching intowash basket 114 through opening 116.

Now that the construction of system 50, laundry treatment appliance 52,and external communication system 60 have been presented according toexemplary embodiments, an exemplary method 300 of operating a system oflaundry appliances will be described. Although the discussion belowrefers to the exemplary method 300 of operating system 50, one skilledin the art will appreciate that the exemplary method 300 is applicableto the monitoring and control of any suitable system of laundryappliances. In exemplary embodiments, the various method steps asdisclosed herein may be performed by controllers 62, remote server 68,and/or a separate, dedicated controller.

Referring generally to FIG. 4 , a method of operating a laundrytreatment appliance (e.g., washing machine appliance 52) is provided. Inexemplary embodiments, the controller 62 may be operable to performvarious steps of a method (e.g., 300) in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The method 300 may occur as, or as part of, a laundryoperation of a laundry appliance (e.g., washing machine appliance 52).

It is noted that the order of steps within method 300 are forillustrative purposes. Except as otherwise indicated, one or more stepsin the below method 300 may be changed, rearranged, performed in adifferent order, or otherwise modified without deviating from the scopeof the present disclosure.

At step 302, method 300 may include establishing a remote connectionbetween the laundry treatment appliance and a remote terminal. Asdescribed above, the laundry treatment appliance may include a remotecommunication module (e.g., provided within a controller such ascontroller 62). The appliance may, through a network (e.g., externalcommunication system 60), remotely communicate with a separate, remoteterminal. According to some embodiments, the remote terminal is anotherlaundry treatment appliance, such as a washing machine provided in adistant location. Additionally or alternatively, the remote terminal maybe a remote server storing information, a mobile device, a differenthome appliance, or the like. As described above, and for referencehereinafter, the laundry treatment appliance to which method 300 ofoperation generally applies is referred to as a local laundry treatmentappliance. Accordingly, the remote terminal in remote connection withthe local laundry appliance may be referred to as a remote laundrytreatment appliance.

While establishing the remote connection, the local laundry treatmentappliance may enable an import function. In detail, a user may perform aselection (e.g., via a button or switch on the local laundry applianceor through a mobile device application) to allow an import of data intothe local laundry treatment appliance. The local laundry treatmentappliance may then allow for data transfer between the appliance and theremote device (e.g., remote laundry treatment appliance). Subsequently,a connection request may be sent to the remote terminal to participatein the data transfer.

The connection request may include a request to transfer data from theremote device to the local laundry treatment appliance. According tosome embodiments, the connection request is a request to transfer datafrom the local laundry treatment appliance to the remote device as wellas from the remote device to the local laundry treatment appliance.Moreover, a user (e.g., a second user or distant user) may perform aselection (e.g., via a button or switch on the remote device or througha mobile device application) to allow the data transfer between theremote device and the local laundry treatment appliance. The locallaundry treatment appliance may then receive a connection confirmationfrom the remote terminal. For instance, the remote device may send, viathe remote connection, a confirmation notification or instruction (e.g.,data packet configured to initiate presentation of a notification orinstruction message at the user interface of the local appliance). Thecontroller of the local laundry appliance may then confirm that theremote connection is active, stable, and transferring data between thelocal laundry treatment appliance and the remote terminal (e.g., throughreceiving the confirmation notification).

At step 304, method 300 may include transmitting a laundry cycle requestto the remote terminal (e.g., following 302). In detail, the controllerof the local laundry treatment appliance may, via the remote connection,send a request to the remote terminal for information regarding one ormore laundry cycles. According to this embodiment, the laundry cycleincludes one or more laundry phases, such as a water supply phase, anagitation phase, a spin phase, a drain phase, or the like. Thus, thelaundry cycle may be a washing operation, a drying operation, acombination operation, a dewrinkling operation, or the like.

The laundry cycle may include one or more predetermined cycle settings.For instance, the cycle settings may include a water temperature, awater amount, a detergent amount, an additive requirement, a phase list(e.g., a list of all of the laundry phases included within acorresponding laundry cycle), a phase order (e.g., the order or sequencein which the laundry phases will be executed for a corresponding laundrycycle), a length of time of the laundry cycle, a drum rotational speed,a heater setting, or the like. For example, the remote terminal has aspecific stain cycle stored thereon, with one or more of the previouslymentioned attributes or settings applied thereto. Additionally oralternatively, the remote terminal may have a plurality of laundrycycles stored thereon (e.g., within an onboard memory). Each of thelaundry cycles may include specific constitutions, arrangements,attributes, formulations, or orders of the cycle settings, according tocertain laundry load requirements (e.g., a delicates load, a towelsload, a jeans load, etc.).

According to some embodiments, a single specific laundry cycle istransmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance in response toestablishing the remote connection at 302. For instance, in response toenabling the import function, the user of the local laundry treatmentappliance may request a specific laundry cycle for immediate performance(e.g., a specific stain cycle stored on the remote terminal). Thespecific stain cycle may be transmitted to the local laundry treatmentappliance. The specific stain cycle may be stored on the local laundrytreatment appliance (e.g., within the controller or an onboard memorysystem). Additionally or alternatively, a prompt may be displayed on thelocal laundry treatment appliance to perform the specific stain cycle.

According to another embodiment, a plurality of specific laundry cyclesis transmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance in response toestablishing the remote connection. For instance, in response toenabling the import function, the user of the local laundry treatmentappliance may request a list or batch of laundry cycles for storage(e.g., normal cycles, light cycles, bedding cycles, delicate cycles,etc. stored on the remote terminal). The batch of laundry cycles may betransmitted to the local laundry treatment appliance. The batch oflaundry cycles may be stored on the local laundry treatment appliance(e.g., within the controller or an onboard memory system). Additionallyor alternatively, a prompt may be displayed on the local laundrytreatment appliance to perform each of the batch of laundry cycles.

At step 306, method 300 may include importing the one or morepredetermined cycle settings from the remote terminal. As describedabove, the user of the local laundry treatment appliance may input arequest to transmit one or more laundry cycles, and each of the one ormore laundry cycles may include specific and unique predetermined cyclesettings. Accordingly, the local laundry treatment appliance may receivethe predetermined cycle settings (e.g., via the controller, the wirelesscommunication module, or the like). According to some embodiments, thelocal laundry treatment appliance receives or imports the predeterminedcycle settings unassociated with a particular laundry cycle. Forinstance, the predetermined cycle settings stored on the remote terminalmay be applicable to more than one laundry cycle. The predeterminedcycle settings may include, for example, a stain fighting phase orsetting. The stain fighting phase or setting may be incorporated into aplurality of laundry cycles (e.g., a colors cycle, a whites cycle, atowels cycles, etc.). Thus, the local laundry treatment appliance mayimport one or more predetermined cycle settings to be applied to morethan one laundry cycle.

At step 308, method 300 may include initiating the laundry cyclecorresponding to the laundry cycle request within the local laundrytreatment appliance. In detail, upon receiving the one or morepredetermined cycle settings, the controller may initiate acorresponding laundry cycle incorporating the predetermined cyclessettings. As mentioned above, a single specific laundry cycle may beimported to the local laundry treatment appliance. According to thisembodiment, the controller determines that the single specific laundrycycle is to be performed immediately. Accordingly, the controller mayinitiate the laundry cycle (with the predetermined cycle settings).Additionally or alternatively, the controller may prompt the user thatthe laundry cycle has been uploaded and is ready to be initiated. Forinstance, a notification may be presented or displayed on the appliance.Additionally or alternatively, the notification may be sent to a mobiledevice registered to the user and stored within the appliance.Advantageously, a user of a new laundry treatment appliance (e.g., at anew location) may connect with a previously used laundry treatmentappliance (e.g., remote terminal) to obtain or import specific settingspreviously used in washing or laundry cycles or operations.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundry treatment appliance, comprising: a tubprovided in a cabinet; a user interface provided on the cabinet; aremote communication module provided within the cabinet; and acontroller provided within the cabinet and operably coupled to the userinterface and the remote communication module, the controller beingconfigured to direct a laundry operation, the laundry operationcomprising: establishing a remote connection between the laundrytreatment appliance and a remote terminal; transmitting a laundry cyclerequest to the remote terminal; importing one or more predeterminedcycle settings from the remote terminal in response to transmitting thelaundry cycle request; and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding tothe laundry cycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, thelaundry cycle comprising the one or more predetermined cycle settings.2. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 1, wherein establishing theremote connection between the laundry treatment appliance and the remoteterminal comprises: enabling an import function on the laundry treatmentappliance; sending a connection request to the remote terminal; andreceiving a connection confirmation from the remote terminal.
 3. Thelaundry treatment appliance of claim 2, wherein enabling the importfunction comprises receiving an input from a user via the laundrytreatment appliance.
 4. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 1,wherein the laundry treatment appliance is a local laundry treatmentappliance and the remote terminal is a remote laundry treatmentappliance.
 5. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 1, wherein theone or more predetermined cycle settings comprise at least one of awater temperature, a water amount, a detergent amount, an additiverequirement, a phase list, a phase order, or length of time of thelaundry cycle.
 6. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 5, whereinthe phase list comprises at least one of a water supply phase, adetergent supply phase, an agitation phase, a drain phase, a rinsephase, or a spin phase.
 7. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 1,wherein the laundry cycle request comprises one of a plurality oflaundry cycle requests.
 8. The laundry treatment appliance of claim 7,wherein the plurality of laundry cycle requests corresponds to aplurality of laundry cycles, each laundry cycle comprising a unique setof predetermined cycle settings.
 9. The laundry treatment appliance ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of laundry cycles is stored on thelaundry treatment appliance.
 10. A method of operating a laundrytreatment appliance, the laundry treatment appliance comprising a tub, auser interface, and a remote communication module, the methodcomprising: establishing a remote connection between the laundrytreatment appliance and a remote terminal; transmitting a laundry cyclerequest to the remote terminal; importing one or more predeterminedcycle settings from the remote terminal in response to transmitting thelaundry cycle request; and initiating a laundry cycle corresponding tothe laundry cycle request within the laundry treatment appliance, thelaundry cycle comprising the one or more predetermined cycle settings.11. The method of claim 10, wherein establishing the remote connectionbetween the laundry treatment appliance and the remote terminalcomprises: enabling an import function on the laundry treatmentappliance; sending a connection request to the remote terminal; andreceiving a connection confirmation from the remote terminal.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein enabling the import function comprisesreceiving an input from a user via the laundry treatment appliance. 13.The method of claim 10, wherein the laundry treatment appliance is alocal laundry treatment appliance, and wherein the remote terminal is aremote laundry treatment appliance.
 14. The method of claim 10, whereinthe one or more predetermined cycle settings comprise at least one of awater temperature, a water amount, a detergent amount, an additiverequirement, a phase list, a phase order, or length of time of thelaundry cycle.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the phase listcomprises at least one of a water supply phase, a detergent supplyphase, an agitation phase, a drain phase, a rinse phase, or a spinphase.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the laundry cycle requestcomprises one of a plurality of laundry cycle requests.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the plurality of laundry cycle requests correspondsto a plurality of laundry cycles, each laundry cycle comprising a uniqueset of predetermined cycle settings.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe plurality of laundry cycles is stored on the laundry treatmentappliance.